1Malaysia in action at Selayang Hot Spring

One aspect of our visit to the Selayang Hot Spring every week that I have not mentioned in depth is the spirit of 1Malaysia.

1Malaysia is the ideology that stresses national unity and ethnic tolerance. I think the atmosphere at the hot spring is clearly 1Malaysia in action.

Racial harmony at Selayang Hot Spring

It’s not merely the peaceful gathering of people of various races and of diverse religious background in one place.

We see that every day everywhere in the country.

What’s different here is that it is not the interaction between friends, co-workers or neighbors.

It is the rapport among strangers, freely exchanging ideas and helping each other as though we were all part of the same family, which in a sense, we are. Many gladly extend a helping hand to anyone who needs it.

Today, we had the pleasure of meeting Saiful, who came equipped with a scoop at the end of a very long self-made pole. He used it to reach into the base of the hot pool to extract the sulfur, which he and his family applied on their skin.

All Hana did was ask his wife where they got the sulfur because it was very refined compared to the kind others extracted from another pond. Saiful immediately got up, reached for his scoop and went to get Hana some.

Saiful gathering sulfur

This triggered a wave of requests from the other regulars, which Saiful gladly obliged, sacrificing his time with his family.

One family was very grateful as they needed it for their toddler who had some skin problem which itched a lot. (See pic below)

Toddler covered with sulfur

No one has any documented proof of the benefits of applying sulfur on one’s skin, but as Saiful’s wife says, mud packs and certain natural soaps are used, so natural sulfur should work just as well.

Some regulars claim that soaking their feet in the sulfur spring water has helped rid them of skin problems. I am one of them.

"Men in sulfur"

I have had a couple of dry patches of skin on my left foot for a long time. Never sought any treatment for it as it does not bother me physically.

Without intending to “treat” it at the spring, Hana suddenly pointed out one day that the patches were disappearing.

I guess I can attribute it to the spring water as I have not treated it in any other way.

As always, please treat any claims made on this blog with caution as they are merely the experiences of individuals. Seek medical advice before embarking on any new “treatment”

Will monitor the condition of the toddler. I hope it does help as he’s so young and keeps scratching and causing scars on his cute face and body.

And that’s my hot spring story for this week. Have a great week!

Part 1of our Selayang hot spring experience.

Part 2 of our Selayang hot spring experience.

The ‘Mountain’ – Batu Caves

This is a long overdue respond to requests from Facebook friends for more info about the ‘mountain’ Hana and I climb every Sunday.

The steps at Batu Caves

The ‘mountain’ is actually a long flight of steps leading to some caves in a limestone hill – caves which house several Hindu shrines.

It is a sacred place for Hindus. Called “Batu Caves”, which literally means “Stone Caves”, it is situated about 7 miles from Kuala Lumpur.

There are also several temples at the foot of the hill and devotees show up as early as 6:30am to take part in prayers.

Thaipusam

Batu Caves is known for the annual festival of Thaipusam, when close to a million devotees and tourists make their way to the caves.

Thaipusam is the birthday celebration of the Hindu deity Subramaniam. It is also the time when devotees fulfill vows by carrying or pulling huge ‘kavadis’ with hooks attached to their skin or iron rods piercing their cheeks.

If you are squeamish, then scroll quickly past the next photo.

Thaipusam - kavadi

Not everyone has to inflict such pain on themselves to fulfill a vow. Many carry on their heads a simple urn filled with fresh milk.

Thaipusam - urn of fresh milk

One has to be there to view and appreciate the beauty of the limestone caves. These photos, taken with my smartphone will give you an idea of what to expect.

Entering Batu Caves

The view from inside the cave

Surreal view from the cave

The view of the steps and the huge statue of Lord Murugan at dawn is a sight to behold.

Batu Caves at dawn

Oh, did I mention the pigeons? There are hundreds of them that tamely crowd the empty space leading to the steps.

Pigeons at Batu Caves

Aside from the religious rituals, the steps at Batu Caves have become a popular exercise spot for all races. Many climb the 272 steps to improve their fitness levels while some do it as part of their training to climb Mount Kinabalu in East Malaysia.

Climbers

I am full of admiration for those who climb the steps effortlessly. Granted, they have been doing it for a long time, nevertheless, it is an enviable feat.

Many of the regulars help the priests carry their wares and offerings up the steps. Trust me, it really works your legs when you’re carrying a load that weighs close to 5kg.

The first few weeks were tough. We had to catch our breath a few times at each climb. We have since progressed to making two quick stops along the way and finishing 4 climbs a week.

Me climbing Batu Caves

The only downside from the experience is the stench along the steps. I suspect it comes from the droppings and urine of the monkey population.

It helps when it rains the night before to wash away some of it.

We have since move on to other weekend activities like visiting the park and the hot spring.

The lack of fresh air played a big part in encouraging us to look for ‘healthier’ alternatives.

Batu Caves is however one place you need to visit and experience at least once.

If you don’t mind large crowds, then Thaipusam would be a good time to be there. Not me, though. I stay away from sales in malls to avoid crowds.

Hope you enjoyed my brief description of Batu Caves. If you have similar experiences to share or have a question to ask, please leave a comment.

Namaste.

Visit to Selayang Hot Spring Part2

It has been a long week since we visited the Selayang Hot Spring last Sunday. Hana was excited about going back, and so we did, yesterday and today.

"Essentials"

We were better prepared this time. Got us a bigger tub and a little chair to sit on while we soaked our feet in the smaller tubs.

It was drizzling when we woke up but we decided to risk it. Glad we did. It did rain heavily, but after we had spent over an hour there.

Interestingly, the rain did not deter some people, who came prepared with umbrellas.

I thought there were only three wells, but we made an interesting discovery when we arrived yesterday. Partly hidden by some bushes was another waterhole. This, we were told was the hottest one, which explains why few people spent time there.

Hottest waterhole - notice the vapor

We found the source of “mud” which many people, especially the ladies, had been using on their legs and faces. The “mud” was sulfur found at the base of the waterhole.

Hana enjoying her facial

I’m not sure what it is supposed to do but I agreed to allow Hana to apply some on my face. It was a soothing warm feeling.

Maybe if I do it often, my face will be smooth as “a baby’s butt”. I’m not saying I know what a baby’s butt feels like. I’ve just heard it said.

Health benefits aside, what I enjoy about the place is the rapport among the regulars.

It’s a mini “community” that is warm and welcoming to newbies like us, offering us advice and suggestions whenever deemed necessary. Strangers become acquaintances as quickly as it takes for us to accept a Facebook friend request.

Marie and hubby (right)

Marie and her husband – “aunty” and “uncle” – are an elderly couple who have been visiting the hot spring for the past 18 years.

Friendly and chatty, she’s filled with stories about the history of the hot spring.

All things aside, what we enjoy most is pampering each other. I mean Hana and me.

To us, it’s a nice weekend outing, spending time together. Making new friends and improving our health is a bonus.

I love knowing more about what I am involved in and will be checking out some of the health benefits the hot spring offers. Will post it her once I’ve gathered enough info.

Till then, I’d like to take a moment to remember those who were killed on this day, 9-11, ten years ago, and honor the heroes who risked their lives saving those who survived. My prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones on that fateful day.

Peace be with you!

Check out Part 1 of our hot spring visit.

Visit to Selayang hot spring

Yesterday, Hana changed our usual Sunday routine.  Instead of our regular climb up the steps of Batu Caves and walk in the park, we chose to visit a hot spring.

It’s known as Selayang Hot Spring, a mere 15 minutes away from the city of Kuala Lumpur.  At least, that’s how long I take to drive the distance.

Hana and I love visiting hot springs and have been doing so for the past few years. However, we have not done so very frequently as the one we used to go to, is almost 2 hours drive away.

The Selayang hot spring  is only 30 minutes away from where we live, which makes it very convenient.

A quick Google search provided us with the necessary info about the hot spring but we later found out that some of the information were outdated. Can’t blame the authors though as they probably visited it once in the past few years.

I hope to provide more current information in due course as we plan to frequent it every weekend.

Selayang Hot Spring

Three wells at Selayang hot spring (click to enlarge)

The hot spring occupies a very small area, due to certain restrictions related to commercial development. There are only three wells, each with a different degree of heat.

The least popular well is well #3.  The water is the least hot among the three wells.

That’s not the reason it is less popular. It is  due to people submerging themselves in it.

We were told that people normally urinate in the well while soaking in it.  Didn’t feel the need to find out for ourselves, so we avoided that one like the plague.

Well #2 was hot but tolerable once we got used to the heat. Glad it was hot enough to deter “soakers”.  Most people use plastic dippers to scoop water from the well and bathe themselves with it.  Someone offered me a small bucket saying it was more satisfying to when pouring more water.

Rub a dub dub (click to enlarge)

Our favorite was well #1.  The water was so hot that we had to pour it into buckets to let it cool a bit before bathing with it.

I found it amusing that many came prepared with huge tubs, and were happily sitting in them while chatting and enjoying a meal of sandwiches and fruits.

Reminded me of the “three men in a tub” nursery rhyme.

We didn’t have that in mind, so we brought one to fill up with water to cool it. Hana somehow managed to get into it as you can see from the photo.  Needless to say, we’re looking to get two huge tubs for next week’s visit.

Hana in a tub

What we enjoyed most was the wonderful atmosphere there.  People were friendly and all it took was a smile and before long we were chatting like old friends.

There was also a picnic-like atmosphere as families brought food with them. Children’s laughter filled the air as they splashed water on each other.  Even toddlers did not miss out on the fun as they soaked in little buckets.

A group of Selayang hot spring faithfuls (click to enlarge)

Most regulars are elderly people who frequent the hot spring because of its “health benefits”.

Many of them have their own stories of how their health has improved, and diseases cured.

One lady we met is said to be able to walk normally after suffering an illness that almost crippled her, thanks to regular use of water from the hot spring.

Another elderly lady who suffered a stroke is undergoing hot spring therapy. Her daughter and a maid help her as she takes slow careful steps towards the well where she sits on a plastic chair. The maid fills up several buckets with water while her daughter lovingly sponges her.

Her daughter later tells us her mom has shown improvement in the mobility of her affected arm and leg after several months of therapy. They visit the hot spring almost every day.

Some may scoff at such stories but I’m a firm believer that there is truth in everything and nothing is impossible. Does it work for everyone?

Of course not. Nothing does.

Hot springs have however long been known for the benefits they offer but that’s the topic of another blog post.

Here’s what renown Dr Andrew Weil has to say about the benefits of hot spring bath treatment or balneotherapy.

Water in the well. Notice the mineral deposits at the base.

Thanks to local government, there is no charge to use the hot spring. So, for a small parking fee of RM2 ($0.70), you get to spend as much time as you like, be it for therapy and in our case, fun as well.

Here’s Part 2 of our Selayang hot spring visit.

Racial harmony at Selayang hot spring.

Namaste

My dream car

When I was 10, I think, I was given a pack of cards with photos of exotic cars. There was one car I fell in love with at first sight – a Lamborghini Countach.

Since then, I’ve always dreamt of owning a Lamborghini. I’m not saying I’d mind a Ferrari or a Beamer, but if I could have any car, it would be a Lamborghini.

Here’s one that recently caught my attention and is now on my wishlist.

Drum roll in my head … the Lamborghini Aventador.

Lamborghini Aventador LP700

Lamborghini Aventador LP700 front view

Lamborghini Aventador LP700 front view with doors opened

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-2 interior

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-6 back view

All that’s missing is the key to one.

“Nothing happens unless first we dream.” ~ Carl Sandburg

Here’s another reason I’m sharing my dream. Dom Helder Camara said …

“When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.”

So, come dream with me.

Happy weekend!

Mom’s birthday

Mom and dad

April 6 was mom’s 73rd birthday and we celebrated it with a family dinner as we always do.

There was dad and mom, Rehana and me, sister Carol, her hubby Tze Foong, children, Aaron and Arielle, mom-in-law and nanny Moon.

Mom decided on Vietnamese for a change. Excellent choice, mom!

Carol chose a quiet and cosy restaurant aptly named “Vietnam Kitchen”.

I love the use of lemongrass, basil and other herbs in Vietnamese cooking. They add so much flavor to their cuisine. The stir-fried beef was my favorite. I guess everyone enjoyed the deep-fried fish since they ordered and finished a second plate of it.

Rehana enjoyed her drink, which was a blend of avocado and red beans. I know. It didn’t seem right to me too at first, but she loves avocado. Turned out well though. It was creamy and yummy.

Mom's birthday cake

Ended the evening with mom blowing off the candles on her birthday cake. It was a coffee cake with chocolate chunks on top.

I would have taken more photos but was too busy enjoying my meal. Lol!

Our thanks go to Carol and Tze Foong for a lovely evening. Here’s to many more birthdays, mom!

Our Valentine’s Day Dinner

T’was the night after Valentine’s Day.

Rehana and I decided we would have our Valentine’s Day dinner at a restaurant in a nearby hotel.  We love the quiet atmosphere there.

Rehana

It was quiet at first, until we heard what sounded like singing coming from outside the restaurant. It took me awhile to realize it was the hotel’s resident quartet performing at the lounge. Now I know what the American Idol judges have to sit through during the audition phase.

Meanwhile, I noticed some people carrying  smaller plates at the buffet and recalled learning that one way to control how much we eat was to use smaller plates. But folks, it doesn’t work if you fill your plate with food two inches high, with some food items hanging on for dear life at the sides of the plate.

Anyway, unbearable singing and amusing observations aside, we had a wonderful time. The highlight of our evening was spending more than an hour after our meal just talking over coffee.

Looking forward to another lovely evening, which should be around the same time … tomorrow. Until then, …

I appreciate you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Finally.  After almost a year since my last attempt at blogging, I’ve decided to give it another shot.  Maybe this time I’ll progress further than ten posts.  LOL!

What better day than Valentine’s Day to publish my first post for 2011?  It’ll be easy to remember the anniversary, assuming I go the distance this time.  I’ve got a good feeling I will.

Anyway, what inspired me to write today was a story I read about a mother’s love for her daughter.  After reading about her struggle and sacrifices, I just felt it was a story I would like to share.

JoAn Blake (left), a mother with a purpose

I’ve chosen to write the story on AllVoices.com for reasons I will explain later in this blog.  Gives me a reason to write a new post.  :-)

It’s entitled “Story of a Mother’s Love and Inspiration”

I wish everyone a happy and wonderful Valentine’s Day with the one you love.  May you spend every day as you would Valentine’s Day.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched- they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller

I appreciate you.